Ott Planetarium Original Productions 

Below are some of the many shows and activities we offer here at the planetarium. Please contact us for more questions or inquiries.

First & Farthest 
2013 

From the first rockets to the first man on the moon, First and Farthest celebrates humanity's great accomplishments in the Space Race. Appropriate for 5th grade and up, this show will bring back memories for those who experienced the Space Race and inspire new generations to keep exploring our universe. With its discussion of science, technology, engineering and mathematical concepts, First and Farthest supports a STEM-focused curriculum. 

This show is available for purchase from AVI

Show Topics: Rocket Propulsion with Solid and Liquid Fuels, F=ma, Parabolic Flight, Orbital Flight, History of Space Exploration. 

Show Duration: 26 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 10 and Up 

This is Our Sky! 
2012 

This is Our Sky! is a general astronomy show that targets 3rd grade, with elements of interest spanning Preschool to 6th Grade. Join Luna and her friends for an exploration of the sky, phases of the Moon, seasons, constellations, and planets. 

This show is available for purchase from AVI.

Show Topics: Horizon, Apparent Motion of the Sky, Phases of the Moon, Seasons, Constellations, and the Solar System. 

Show Duration: 20 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 4 - 10 

Expanded View 
2010 

The award winning Expanded View introduces the electromagnetic spectrum and multi-wavelength observation with examples from Hubble, Spitzer, and Chandra. Audiences learn how images are captured and what the colors tell us about composition of deep sky objects. Expanded View is intended to illustrate the importance of multi-wavelength observation by describing how NASAs Great Observatories work together.

Show Topics: NASA Great Observatories, Hubble, Spitzer, Chandra, Multi-Wavelength Observation. 

Show Duration: 23 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 10 and Up 

The Nature of Science 
2009 

The Nature of Science is intended to communicate what science is and how scientists work. The show features interviews with Weber State University College of Science Faculty as they discuss their work. 

Show Topics: Scientific Process, Scientific Laws, Scientific Hypotheses, Scientific Theories 

Show Duration: 22 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 10 and Up 

Cosmic Journey 
2008 

Tour the cosmos with astrophysicist, Dr. Stacy Palen as your guide!

Cosmic Journey tells the story of the universe from a uniquely human perspective. Drift through images from the Hubble Space Telescope and other NASA Great Observatories in a fulldome experience like no other.   There is both a short and long version of this show.

Show Topics: Astronomy, Cosmology, Scale of the Universe, Supernovae, Planetary Nebulae, Stellar Nurseries, and Other Nebulae 

Show Duration: 25 Minutes, 40 minutes

Target Audience: Ages 10 and Up 

Astro Otters Jr. (Complete Library) 
2008 

Astro Otters Jr. is a module-based astronomy education program for grades K-4. The package contains 28 topic modules, plus two "bookends," for a total of 30 short videos. The modules can be mixed and matched for a nearly endless variety of presentations. Astro Otters Jr.can be augmented with live discussions and demonstrations for a powerful and nimble astronomy education experience. 

The Astro Otters Jr. library contains over 2.3 hours of narrated, fulldome video.

Show Topics: The Astro Otters Jr. library covers over 28 astronomy topics for grades K-4. 

Show Duration: Variable 

Target Audience: Ages 5 - 9 
 

Astro Otters (Complete Library)
2008 

Astro Otters is a module-based astronomy education program for grades 5-8. The package contains 43 topic modules, plus two "bookends," for a total of 45 short videos. The modules can be mixed and matched for a nearly endless variety of presentations. Astro Otters can be augmented with live discussions and demonstrations for a powerful and nimble astronomy education experience. 

The Astro Otters library contains over 3.7 hours of narrated, fulldome video. 

Show Topics: The Astro Otters library covers over 43 astronomy topics for grades 5-8. 

Show Duration: Variable 

Target Audience: Ages 9 - 13 

A Glorious Dawn 
2011 

John Boswell's stirring remix of Carl Sagan's Cosmos is featured in this planetarium adaptation of A Glorious Dawn

Musical arrangement and remixed Cosmos video by John Boswell - The Symphony of Science (symphonyofscience.com). 

Planetarium adaptation produced by participants of the 2011 Blender Production Workshop. (Most of the participants were modeling and animating with Blender for the very first time.) 

The video and its source files are available free of charge (download link below). Contact The Symphony of Science for information and restrictions on the music. 

The 3D elements in this project are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

The music in this project is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Please support John Boswell's excellent work. 
Click Here to Donate to The Symphony of Science


Show Topics: Science Outreach 

Show Duration: 5 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 3 and Up 

 

Space Shapes 
2010 

Space Shapes discusses different round shapes in space for young audiences. 

The show was created by participants of the 2010 Blender Production Workshop. (Most of the participants were modeling and animating with Blender for the very first time.) 

This project and its source files are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Show Topics: Sphere and Disk Shapes 

Show Duration: 9 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 3 - 8 

Clockwork Skies 
2010 

Clockwork Skies explores the patterns of motion and time in our skies. 

The show was created by participants of the 2010 Blender Production Workshop. (Most of the participants were modeling and animating with Blender for the very first time.) 

This project and its source files are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Show Topics: Daily Motion, Orbits, Solar System 

Show Duration: 5 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 5 - 12 

Sizing Up Space 
2009 

Sizing Up Space explores the scale of the universe. 

The show was created by participants of the Blender Production Workshop at the 2009 Mediaglobe Users Group Conference. (Most of the participants were modeling and animating with Blender for the very first time.) 

This project and its source files are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Show Topics: Scale of the Universe, Light Year 

Show Duration: 13 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 6 - 12 

Third Party Productions

Red Planet Rising
2017

Explore Mars and humankind's fascination with this world through mythology, history, literature, movies, broadcast media and science. It also looks ahead to see what Mars may hold for humanity in the future.

Show Topics: Mars, Planets, Solar System

Show Duration: 30 Minutes 

Target Audience: All Ages

Eclipses and Phases of the Moon
2017
Eclipses are very exciting celestial events!  Learn about why and how they happen, which types occur when and where, and some cultures' historical views about the shadows cast on the Earth.  This show is appropriate for all ages, and will education viewers about the science of these amazing events.  The show also discuses the phases of the moon, safe viewing techniques for an eclipse and will give dates of future eclipses.

Show Topics: Eclipses, solar and lunar, Phases of the Moon

Show Duration: 26 Minutes 

Target Audience: All Ages

Solar Quest 
2013 

Discusses the impacts of space weather and how the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field protects all life on Earth. "Solar Quest" features the role of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and how scientists are using it as a way to identify and predict severe space weather. 

Show Topics: Sun-Earth Environment, Space Weather, SDO 

Show Duration: 12 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 8 and Up 

Two Small Pieces of Glass 
2009 

A special presentation for the International Year of Astronomy, Two Small Pieces of Glass explores the workings, origins, and power of the telescope. 

Show Topics: Seasons, Planetary Motion, Cultural Astronomy 

Show Duration: 24 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 8 and Up 

 

IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System 
2009 

Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, audiences will hear from the scientists and engineers that developed the IBEX mission and created the spacecraft. 

Show Topics: Astronomy, Solar System Exploration 

Show Duration: Variable 

Target Audience: Ages 12 and Up 

Seasonal Stargazing 
2007 

The stars, constellations and interesting astronomical objects. A different show for every season! All seasons have 2 versions: short show and long show.

Show Topics: Stars, Constellations 

Show Duration: 8 minutes and 16 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 6 and Up 

Season of Light 
2005 

Celebrate the holiday season with a historical perspective and learn the importance of Astronomy in our winter traditions! 

Show Topics: Seasons, Planetary Motion, Cultural Astronomy 

Show Duration: 35 Minutes 

Target Audience: All Ages 

Legends of the Night Sky: Orion 
2005 

The story of the mighty hunter is told in full dome animation. Appropriate for children of all ages. 

Show Topics: Cultural Astronomy, Mythology 

Show Duration: 25 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 3 and Up 

Hubble Vision 
2005 

A tribute to the Hubble Space Telescope. This show includes stunning visuals, compelling astronomy, and beautiful music from Geodesium. Produced by Loch Ness Productions. 

Show Topics: Hubble Space Telescope, Planets in Our Solar System, Distances in Space, Universal Motion, Universal Expansion, Doppler Effect 

Show Duration: 30 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 10 and Up 

 

The Mysterious Light: The Aurora 
2004 

A beautiful show displaying and explaining the Northern Lights.

Show Topics: Properties of the Sun, Sun-Earth System, Electromagnetism, the Aurora 

Show Duration: 15 Minutes 

Target Audience: Ages 12 and Up